Sandblasting Process - Introduction, Materials Used, Pros and Cons

Sandblasting is also known as abrasive blasting. Basically, it is the operation of forcibly propelling a stream of abrasive material against a surface. The sandblasting operation is done under high pressure to smooth a rough surface, roughen a smooth/Shape the surface to remove its contaminants. There are several variants of sandblasting process like bead blasting, Soda blasting and shot blasting.

Before sandblasting, it is mandatory to know about its materials and the pros and cons. If your job profile is related to sandblasting or you owned a company that involved in the same process, you need to stay with us. In this article, we will discuss sand blasting machines materials and its pros and corns. But before it, let me also clear some of the details of its operation.

There are Two Types of Sandblasting Processes:

Water-Driven- It is applied for reducing surface deterioration, most commonly water driven process is used for brick or concrete surfaces preparation.

Air-Driven - This process is best suited for metal surfaces, to prevent moisture buildup and avoid water intrusion in the surface.

Sandblasting is the process of propelling abrasive by using the pressurized liquid or compressed gas as propellant. There are many generic terms for this process that is generally related to the sandblasting abrasive media used for this process. Here are the details of abrasive materials.

Sandblasting Abrasive Materials:

Materials which can be Sandblasted:

Glass

Stone

Metals

Wood

Plastics Steel

Brass

Aluminum

Silver

Materials Required for Sandblasting Process:

Abrasive Media –grit size 80 grit around 0.007

Sand –Produces free silica: cause of silicosis, a lung disease

Aluminum Oxide – Lasts 30-40 X over sand.

Silicon Carbide – Lasts at least 40-50X over sand.

Garnet

Glass Beads

Black Magic

Walnut Shells

Plastic Pellets

Sandblasting Process – Pros & Cons!

The pros (advantages) of sandblasting are as follows:

Abrasive action on the surface:The abrasive materials which are being used in the process that have an aggressive action on the surfaces.

Fit for rough surfaces: The powerful action of the sandblasting process can remove contaminants from the tough surfaces like a concrete.

Quick Removal of contaminants: the sandblasting process helps for removing the deposits of the contaminants very quickly from the different surfaces.

Less machinery is involved: Abrasive blasting does not involve the complex machinery for its process.

The Cons of Sandblasting Are as follows:

Not fit for smooth surfaces: for cleaning smooth surfaces, abrasive blasting is not fit because of the abrasives are being used. Therefore, you can use of soda blasting instead of sandblasting which also a similar procedure for surface preparation but in different ways.

Abrasives: The abrasives which are being used in the sandblasting process are very rough. Therefore, if use that on the regular for a particular surface preparation, them it would wear away the surface of the particulars.

Use of silica: it has been banned in most of the countries including India, because of its different health hazards.

Heat generation: This process includes the projection of the particles with high velocity, therefore lots of heat is generated during the process that can harm health and the surface too.

Requires Precautions: A lot of precautionary is required with this process in order to prevent different types of hazards. Apart from it, an operator has to cover all his body parts at the time of its process.

Meanwhile, we also need to discuss the top sand blasting machine manufacturer in India. Because machines play vital roles for every type of sand blasting operations, the Quality spare center is the leading Sand blasting manufacturing companies in India. They understand that all clients’ consignments requirements and their machines are having high load bearing capacity and provide best results for the surface preparation. Their experienced and qualified team can assist you better related to the blasting machine, equipment and abrasives.